Climate Change Bill [HL]

The Minister had me worried there for a moment. Amendment No. 182 relates to the Secretary of State implementing a programme for adaptation. If there is a programme for adaptation, we on this side of the Committee think that there should be a duty to implement it. There is a duty to introduce the risk assessment, but it does not extend to a duty to implement the programme. It is not enough to just have some good ideas. I anticipate a few objections to the duty placed on the Secretary of State in this amendment, and thus want to make our intentions behind the amendment absolutely clear. It is not our intention to bind the hands of the Secretary of State such that he must follow only the specific programme outlined. We recognise that contingency is always a part of policy-making and there needs to be some space for a Minister to respond to it. However, this part of the legislation places the duty for developing the programme on the Secretary of State. We feel that it is important that the programme that is developed can and will be effective. Thus, we want to ensure that it will in fact be put into effect. I do not for a moment think that the Government intend this clause to be only about making plans and not taking action. However, there is no requirement for any action at all to be taken. We want to change this to make sure that there is a duty for the Secretary of State to act on the proposals that he will table in the programme. It is not enough to make plans. In addition to having a programme, plans must be carried through to action. Should the Minister think our wording here too prescriptive, what assurances can he give that the programme for adapting to climate change will in fact be implemented? Does he agree that there should not be any scope for a Secretary of State to avoid these responsibilities? I beg to move.